Prepatellar Bursitis Under Ultrasound – A Live Demo by Dr. Debjyoti Dutta

Live demonstration by Dr. Debjyoti Dutta | Faculty, Asian Pain Academy

In this educational video, Dr. Debjyoti Dutta, senior pain specialist and core faculty of Asian Pain Academy, presents a focused and clinically relevant ultrasound demonstration of prepatellar bursitis—a common yet often under-evaluated cause of anterior knee pain.

With increasing use of musculoskeletal ultrasound in pain practice, the ability to identify and treat prepatellar bursitis under ultrasound is a valuable skill for pain physicians, orthopedists, and sports medicine professionals.

What Is Prepatellar Bursitis?

The prepatellar bursa is located between the skin and the patella. It reduces friction during knee movements but is vulnerable to inflammation, especially in individuals who kneel frequently, such as construction workers or housekeepers—leading to the nickname “housemaid’s knee.”

Inflammation in this bursa results in swelling, tenderness, and pain over the kneecap. Infected bursitis may present with redness and fever. Ultrasound can help differentiate between sterile and septic bursitis, or from other soft tissue conditions like cellulitis and fat pad inflammation.

Ultrasound Appearance of Prepatellar Bursitis

Using a high-frequency linear probe, the bursa appears as a fluid-filled, anechoic or hypoechoic space superficial to the patella. In some cases, internal echoes or septations may be seen, indicating chronicity or infection.

The procedure demonstrated by Dr. Dutta includes proper probe placement, image optimization, and techniques to distinguish bursitis from abscesses or fat pad edema. Compressibility of the fluid collection under probe pressure is a reliable sign confirming the diagnosis of prepatellar bursitis under ultrasound.

USG-Guided Treatment of Prepatellar Bursitis

Once diagnosed, ultrasound-guided aspiration and steroid injection become the mainstays of treatment. This avoids blind injections, increases success rates, and minimizes complications.

In the video, Dr. Dutta outlines safe needle approach and real-time visualization of fluid aspiration. Corticosteroid injections can follow if infection is ruled out.

In cases of septic bursitis, aspiration followed by culture and targeted antibiotics is advised. For chronic or recurrent cases, compression, rest, and protective padding help prevent recurrence.

Why Learning This Skill Matters

Being able to detect and manage prepatellar bursitis under ultrasound expands your diagnostic confidence in anterior knee pain. It avoids unnecessary MRI or empirical treatment. With training, even new users of ultrasound can master this simple yet powerful application.

Asian Pain Academy integrates such practical, live demonstrations in its ultrasound-guided pain intervention fellowships. With expert guidance from Dr. Debjyoti Dutta and other faculty, clinicians learn real-world application of sonography in pain practice—far beyond textbook knowledge.

Want to learn more?

Join the Ultrasound-Guided Pain Intervention Fellowship at Asian Pain Academy to master techniques like these. From diagnosis to intervention, our courses blend live patient scanning with step-by-step procedural learning.

📍 Visit: www.asianpainacademy.com